Hello Friends,
We’d like to introduce you all to yet another amazing human being. She’s a student at Georgetown University. She’s the founder of the volunteer organization, Kids Caring 4 Kids. In 2007, President Bill Clinton went to visit her at her high shcool, in recognition of her service. In 2010, she was named one of Glamour Magazine’s top ten women of the year for her service work. She does all these unbelievable things, while fighting rare liver disease called biliary atresia. She’s a master jugggler. She’s a giver. She’s fantastic. Ladies and Gents, we’re pleased to introduce you to Kendall Ciesemier.
TWT: First things first, how did Kids Caring 4 Kids come to be?
KC: In December of 2003, I watched an Oprah Winfrey Christmas Special in 2003 highlighting the plight of African AIDS orphans. I saw kids that were my age, 11 at the time, taking care of their younger siblings because both of their parents had died of AIDS and I was stunned. I had never witnessed something like that, kids living alone, with no running water, or electricity. I knew that if these children had been born in the United States, they would not be living alone in these conditions. I felt like I had won the birth lottery and because of that, I felt a responsibility to do something.
Immediately after the show, I searched for a way to help. I googled “AIDS Orphans in Africa” and found World Vision’s Orphan Sponsorship program. I then pulled out my saved up birthday and Christmas money, amounting to $360, and sent it off to sponsor a little 8-year-old girl in Mauritania.
Months later I received a letter back from Benite and she wrote how she was doing so well, in school for the first time and learning how to read, add and write. I felt so empowered by the fact that I, as one 11-year-old girl had made a difference in another 8-year-old girl’s life. I knew that with a little help I could do so much more.
That summer, the summer after my 5th grade year, I underwent two liver transplants. I was born with a rare liver disease called Biliary Atresia that necessitated that I have a transplant. During this time I worked with World Vision again to sponsor a larger project in Zambia, sponsoring the village of Musele, Zambia. I asked that friends and family donate to this project in lieu of gifts and flowers while I was in the hospital.
By the end of the summer, I had raised over $15,000 as kids from across the country, hearing of my effort, started their own bake sales, penny wars, garage sales and other fundraisers. As a result of this snowball effect, I decided to officially organize my effort, calling it “Kids Caring 4 Kids”, and in January of 2005, Kids Caring 4 Kids became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
TWT: We believe that true journalists have the power to change the scope of social dynamics in this country. They have the ability to bring truth and awareness right into our living rooms. Would you disagree or agree with this statement? Why?
KC: I absolutely agree with this statement. There is a quote that I love about journalists: “There are three kinds of people who run toward disaster, not away: cops, firemen and reporters.” I think this quote really holds true. Journalists deliver the public information that we need to hear, and despite what people say about the quality of the 24-hour media coverage and it’s redundancy and frivolousness, when disasters take place, journalists are who we rely on.
Also, my personal experiences attests to this claim. I was only made known of what was happening in Africa because of a story airing on the situation. If I had not seen that Oprah Special, I would not have started Kids Caring 4 Kids.
TWT: What are the top three pieces of advice you’ve received in regards to your education?
KC: This is a hard question.
Probably:
1. Study what you love in college. Up until college you don’t really have a choice, but in college you have nothing but choice. Don’t waste four years studying something just to “get a job.” It is not necessary.
2. Take advantage of educational opportunities outside of the classroom. Your education can be shaped by what you do outside of school. In my case, I learned so much from starting Kids Caring 4 Kids that I would not have learned otherwise. I took the opportunity to learn outside of school and sometimes that even required missing school, but I believe that I have had such a comprehensive education because of it. If teacher’s can help students harness their passions outside of school, they will do better in school.
3. My parents always told me that they expect nothing other than that I try my best. This expectation pushed me to excel in school because it was on my own shoulders to try my best. It was in my power to do my best and that control allowed me to own my education rather than my parents nagging and forcing me through it.
TWT: What can the world expect next from Kids Caring 4 Kids?
KC: That’s a really great question and I wish I had a really great answer for you. Kids Caring 4 Kids very much happened by accident. I had one heart action, sponsoring a girl in Mauritania, and what has happened since has been so far beyond my intention or imagination. I never know what’s next for Kids Caring 4 Kids because I’m young and I’m still figuring it out. I’m fairly comfortable in this space of not knowing because I don’t believe that it has ever really been in my power. This movement is much bigger than me and I’m thankful for that.
I can tell you that we are in the midst of raising $200,000 to build a new high school in Kitwe, Zambia, which is just so awesome. The kids in the community are ready for a high school and that’s exactly what we want to give them. We are currently running two fundraising campaigns. The first of which is called Dance 4 Lifesong, which is our effort to rally high schools across the country to hold 5-hour dance marathons to raise money for this new school. The second is called Give A Birthday and is a very simple concept that ANYONE at any age can get involved in. Basically with Give A Birthday we are asking people to forgo their presents and pledge their birthday to help another kid in Kitwe, Zambia have another birthday. To get involved in either effort, visit www.kidscaring4kids.org. Also, of course we continue to have groups pursue other fundraisers of their choice, but those campaigns are just two suggestions if someone wants to get involved.
TWT: What words of wisdom would you give to the young dreamers of the world, the ones who have wonderful, beautiful, amazing ideas, but are afraid that they’re too young to make those dreams a reality?
KC: Well for starters, I would be really honest and say that people are going to try their best to stop you in your pursuits, especially your peers. You have to grow to be comfortable with who you are as a person, comfortable enough that you know who you are no matter what definition or identity that anyone else tries to impose upon you.
Also, I would add that being young is great and that you should take FULL advantage of your age because you can ask for things and do things that would be inappropriate for adults to do or ask. Always, always, always, ask for help. Don’t ever be afraid to ask someone for something that you want, because the worst thing they can do is say “No” and, even then, you did not lose anything that you started with. The best part is… you might even get an unexpected “Yes.”
TWT: Here at The Write Teacher(s), many of us work with “at-risk” youth. These students are recovering drug addicts; struggling drug addicts, teenage parents, and almost all of them come from broken homes. The struggles, demons, and anger that our students face is often a hindrance to their progress in school and life in general. Do you have any words of wisdom to offer these students?
KC: We all have personal struggles and personal demons and mine took root in my illness at the time I was born. I can only tell you what has worked for me. Through my experience in founding Kids Caring 4 Kids, I have learned that in my most vulnerable and difficult time, in my most powerless time, I could be powerful for other people through service. I could redefine myself and choose to not be “Kendall the sick girl” but instead “Kendall the girl who wanted to help others.” Giving to others forces you to step outside of your situation and when you do that, powerful things happen in your life. There are no barriers to entry to service. You don’t have to be a straight “A” student, or even make the basketball team. In fact, you can be completely broken, weak, and damaged and still be powerful for others. That’s amazing.
TWT: In today’s economy, arts programs in schools are being cut. What reasons would you give a politician for preserving the arts?
KC: I think all of the arts are very important for student expression, especially for any at-risk youth, because if students can create art, be it through creative writing, or painting, they can find passion and talent and purpose in their life, foundations for healthy development and growth.
TWT: Here at The Write Teacher(s), we believe that art drives life, and theatre transforms lives. Would you agree or disagree with those statements? Why?
KC: I think the practice of creating art, is in literally everything we do, even in fields as quantitative as medicine. Creative thinking is necessary in all areas of our life so therefore I would agree that art helps to drive life. However, in my personal experience, I find that service is actually the “medium” that transforms lives more than anything else. When we serve one another, we are able to be powerful for other people, no matter what our own personal circumstance may be. We can each find our purpose and our power in service.
TWT: Just for fun, what’s your favorite movie?
KC: Legally Blonde!!! Hahaha. It has been my favorite movie since I was in elementary school. I think it was because Elle Woods was just this very unsuspected talent and despite what everyone thought or said about her, she defied the constraints that people had imposed upon her and proved everyone wrong. I saw her as this female character that could be both into fashion and smart and I really do believe it subconsciously affected how I lived my life. I always felt a little different due to growing up with a chronic illness and a little “less than” especially when it came to physical activity, but I have always desperately wanted to show people wrong and prove myself, which is exactly what Elle Woods does. Also, she was somebody that, despite many people being mean to her, treated everyone with kindness and respect and that is something that I’ve always really strived to embody, that kind of kindness.
TWT: Who is/was your greatest teacher?
KC: Wow, I’m really not sure I have an answer to that question. I have a lot of great teachers and I’m still close with many of my old teachers. I hate to name names. I’m sure they know who they are. I can however, tell you what I think makes a great teacher. For me, the best teachers I have had have had, challenged me beyond what I thought I could accomplish or achieve, loved me when my peers were discouraging, engaged my curiosity, took the time to learn the inner workings of my heart—my deepest desires, and my greatest fears—and encouraged my passions. Crazy awesome combo, right? My greatest teachers have always taken the time to get to know me and have made me feel understood, and that’s probably the greatest thing you could ever do for a student.
Thank you, Kendall!
Live, Love, Learn,